Clip with Pin for Attaching to Fabric

ABSTRACT

A clip for attaching to a piece of fabric features a main frame and a pin which has rounded cross-section with one end affixed to the main frame and another end which is sharpened to a pointed tip and is free. The main frame is bendable between a first closed position of the clip where the free end of the pin and the frame are brought to touch and a second open position in which the free end of the pin and the frame are spaced apart so that a thickness of the fabric may be passed over the pin. The pin permits the clip to be fastened to any location on the fabric such that the clip is not limited to being disposed at or adjacent an edge of the fabric only as is the case with most conventional clips usable on fabric.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clip for attaching to fabric material for example as an ornamental accessory or to join together a plurality of pieces of fabric.

BACKGROUND

A conventional bi-stable or snap-type clip comprises a frame and at least one finger typically formed integrally with the frame, for example by stamping out of a common sheet of metal, where the finger is attached at one end to the frame and has another end which is free. The finger is used to mount the frame to a base material, for example hair of a human wearer. The frame is bendable between a first closed position in which the frame has a first curvature by which the free end of the finger and the frame are brought to touch, so that the base material is resisted from passing between the finger and frame, and a second open position in which the frame has a second curvature by which the free end of the finger and the frame are in spaced relation so that the base material may be readily passed therebetween.

The Applicant has developed a novel snap-type clip designed particularly for use with fabric.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a clip for attaching to a piece of fabric having first and second faces, the clip comprising:

a main frame defined by a strip of metallic material forming a closed loop;

at least one pin having a first end affixed at a first location on the main frame and extending across the closed loop to a second end of the at least one pin which is free and located at or adjacent a second location on the main frame that is spaced thereabout from the first location;

the main frame being bendable between a first closed position of the clip where the main frame has a first curvature by which the main frame is brought to touch with the at least one pin at or adjacent the second end thereof and a second open position of the clip where the main frame has a second curvature by which the main frame is located in spaced relation to the second end of the at least one pin;

the main frame being fixed in size between the first location and the second location;

the second end of the at least one pin being sharpened so as to form a pointed tip for piercing the piece of fabric such that the second end is passed therethrough from a position at or adjacent the first face of the fabric to a position at or adjacent the second face of the fabric;

the at least one pin having a rounded cross-section along its length from the second end which is sharpened towards the first end of the at least one pin so as to resist catching on the fabric as the second end is passed therethrough.

This clip is thus locatable on any area of the piece of fabric so as to not be limited to a fastening location at or adjacent an edge of the fabric only like most conventional clips are.

The rounded cross-section of the pin is thus resistant to catching fibres of the fabric as the second end pierces and passes through same. As such, the pin is less likely to visibly damage the fabric by insertion therethrough as the pointed tip and rounded cross-section may cause the interwoven fibres of the fabric, which intersect at a plurality of respective intersecting locations, to separate from one another at the respective intersecting location in a manner which does not pull the fibres out of either face of the fabric.

Typically each pin has a thickness measured transversely to its length between first and second ends and said thickness is greater than a thickness of the main frame which is measured between opposite faces of the strip of metallic material.

In one arrangement, in each of the first closed position and the second open position the main frame is curved from a first end location at a periphery of the main frame to a second end location located at the periphery of the main frame in longitudinal relation to the first end location, and the at least one pin is oriented transversely of the main frame.

In one arrangement there is provided a coupling arrangement to affix to the main frame the pin which is wholly distinct therefrom, the coupling arrangement comprising a bracket having a central area which is bendable so as to follow curvature of the main frame and being connected to the main frame such that the at least one pin is clamped between the central area of the bracket and the main frame.

In one arrangement the bracket comprises a separate strip of metallic material wholly distinct from the main frame and fasteners connecting the separate strip to the main frame.

The pin may be clamped by a flat face of at least one of the main frame and the central area of the bracket.

For example, both the main frame and the central area of the bracket have flat faces for clamping the at least one pin therebetween.

Additionally or alternatively, a clamping face at which the pin is engaged thereby of at least one of the main frame and the central area of the bracket thereby comprises a groove for seating the pin therein.

Typically the central area of the bracket comprises side edges extending along a length of the bracket that follow a path of a respective one of inner and outer peripheral edges of the main frame.

In other arrangements the pin may be formed unitarily with the main frame. For example, sheet metal from which the main frame is manufactured may be of a sufficient thickness so that a pin with a rounded cross-section may be formed out of same.

In one arrangement there is provided at the second location a body of non-metallic material attached to one of the main frame and the pin which in the first closed position provides non-metallic contact with a metal surface of another one of the main frame and the pin.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a clip for attaching to a piece of fabric having first and second faces, the clip comprising:

a main frame defined by a strip of metallic material forming a closed loop;

at least one pin having a first end affixed at a first location on the main frame and extending across the closed loop to a second end of the at least one pin which is free and located at or adjacent a second location on the main frame that is spaced thereabout from the first location;

the main frame being bendable between a first closed position of the clip where the main frame has a first curvature by which the main frame is brought to touch with the at least one pin at or adjacent the second end thereof and a second open position of the clip where the main frame has a second curvature by which the main frame is located in spaced relation to the second end of the at least one pin;

the main frame being fixed in size between the first location and the second location;

the second end of the at least one pin being sharpened so as to form a pointed tip for piercing the piece of fabric such that the second end is passed therethrough from a position at or adjacent the first face of the fabric to a position at or adjacent the second face of the fabric;

the at least one pin having a thickness measured transversely to its length between first and second ends and said thickness being greater than a thickness of the main frame which is measured between opposite faces of the strip of metallic material.

Preferably each pin has a rounded cross-section along its length from the second end which is sharpened towards the first end of the at least one pin so as to resist catching on the fabric as the second end is passed therethrough.

In one arrangement there is provided at the second location a body of non-metallic material attached to one of the main frame and the pin which in the first closed position non-metallic contact with a metal surface of another one of the main frame and the pin.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a clip for attaching to a piece of fabric having first and second faces, the clip comprising:

a main frame defined by a strip of metallic material forming a closed loop having longitudinal and transverse directions;

at least one pin having a first end affixed at a first location on the main frame and extending across the closed loop in the transverse direction to a second end of the at least one pin which is free and located at or adjacent a second location on the main frame that is spaced thereabout from the first location;

the main frame being bendable about a transverse axis between first and second stable positions of opposing convex and concave curvature in the longitudinal direction, said first stable position being a closed position in which the curvature of the main frame places the main frame in contact with the at least one pin at or adjacent the second end thereof, and said second stable position being an open position in which the curvature of the main frame places the main frame in spaced relation to the second end of the at least one pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is top plan view of clip according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a first elevational view illustrating the clip of FIG. 1 in a closed position where some components are omitted for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 5 is a second elevational view of the clip in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a first elevational view illustrating the clip of Figure in an open position where some components are omitted for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 7 is a second elevational view of the clip in the open position.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the clip as if it were taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 4 but showing only a portion of the clip.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is disclosed in the accompanying figures a clip which is generally indicated at reference numeral 10 for attaching to fabric as, for example, an ornamental accessory or to join together a plurality of pieces of fabric (not shown). In the latter example, the pieces of fabric each having a first and second face delimited by a peripheral edge may be joined together by weaving the clip through at least two of the plurality of pieces of fabric which are disposed each and the next with their faces at least partially overlapped.

The clip 10 comprises a main outer frame 12 which is defined by a strip of metallic material 13 forming a permanently closed loop. Typically, the strip of metallic material 13 is cut from sheet metal and terminates at first and second ends which are overlapped and permanently coupled together for example by a rivet 14 thereby forming the closed loop. Thus the strip of metallic material 13 is substantially stable and firm in shape, but the main frame which has an annular shape is bendable from a first convex curvature as more clearly shown in FIGS. 4-5 to a second concave curvature as more clearly shown in FIGS. 6-7. The different curvatures will be described in more detail later.

The clip 10 further includes at least one pin 16 which has a first end 17A affixed to the main frame 12 at a first location L1 thereon and second free end 17B located across the main frame from the first end 17A so as to be located at or adjacent a second location L2 on the main frame spaced from the first location about the closed loop. The pin 16 thus extends across the closed loop from the first location L1 to the second location L2 in a manner spanning a central void 19 defined by the frame which itself defines a periphery of the clip. In the illustrated embodiment, there are provided two pins 16 extending across the central void 19 in parallel condition to each other. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the pins 16 are similar in functionality and purpose to a finger of a conventional snap-type clip.

Each pin 16 is sharpened at its second free end 17B so that a pointed tip 21 is formed, from which a body of the pin diverges to a rounded cross-section along its full length from the second end 17B to the first end 17A. In the illustrated embodiment, the pin has a circular cross-section and the pin is substantially cylindrical (i.e., uniform cross-section) with the exception of a portion of the length adjacent the second end 17B due to the tapering of the pin body to the pointed tip 21.

It will be appreciated that a thickness of the body of the respective pin 16, measured transversely to the length of the pin between its first and second ends 17A and 17B, is greater than a thickness of the main frame 12 measured between opposite faces of the strip 13. The strip 13 is sufficiently thin so that this strip is substantially stable and firm in shape but when formed into the closed loop the main frame is able to flex as will be described in more detail shortly.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment the pins 16 are wholly distinct from the main frame 12 such that they are separate elements not formed unitarily with the frame, and thus the pins must be mounted to the main frame.

Therefore, in order to support the pins 16 at their first ends 17A to the main frame 12, a coupling arrangement is provided in the form of a bracket 23 which clamps the pins 16 to the main frame. That is, the bracket 23 comprises a central area 26 which is bendable to follow curvature of the main frame 12 and is connected at its terminal ends 27A, 27B to the main frame such that each pin is clamped between the central area 26 of the bracket and the main frame 12.

The bracket 23 comprises a strip 28 of metallic material which is separate of the strip 13 forming the main frame but typically made of similar material thereto. That is, the strip 28 is wholly distinct from the strip 13 of the main frame. The strip 28 forms the central area 26 of the bracket and is shaped so that its side edges 30A, 30B extending along its full length follow inner and outer peripheral edges 32A, 32B of the strip 13 of the main frame (at the first locations L1).

The separate strip 28 is connected in spaced relation to the main frame 12 by fasteners as for example rivets 34. In the illustrated embodiment, one rivet 34 is located on either side of the respective pin 16 such that sufficient clamping pressure may hold the first end 17A of the pin in fixed position.

Such rivets like those indicated at 14 and 34 are known in the art of clips and thus not described in further detail herein.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 8, the pins 16 are clamped in between a clamping face 36 of the bracket strip 28 and a clamping face 37 of the main frame 12 facing same. Each clamping face may be flat like that indicated at 37 or may include at spaced positions corresponding to locations of the pins grooves 39 shaped in a manner cooperating with the pin to seat same in its clamped condition like the clamping face in FIG. 8 indicated at 36. It will be understood that although FIG. 8 shows one clamping face being flat and the other clamping face including the grooves, which is done primarily for purposes of illustration, both clamping faces may be flat or both clamping faces may include the grooves. Further, each groove may be formed by bending the constituent strip of metallic material forming the respective one of the frame and the bracket so as to introduce curvature for the groove, as shown in FIG. 8, but alternatively each groove may be defined by a recess in the clamping face such that a thickness of the strip at the location of the groove is smaller than where there is no groove in the strip of metallic material.

It will be appreciated that the bracket is thus located at one face of the main frame delimited by the inner and outer peripheral edges 32A, 32B.

As alluded to earlier, the main frame 12 is bendable so as to form two distinct curvatures as is understood in the art of bi-stable clips, which when taken with respect to a common reference point externally of the clip at a location adjacent the bracket, for example that point indicated at R in FIGS. 5 and 7, then one curvature may be referred to as convex and the other concave. The axis about which the main frame bends is parallel to the direction in which the pins transverse the frame.

More specifically, the main frame 12 is bendable between a first closed position shown more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5 where the main frame has a first convex curvature relative to point R or the bracket 23 located at the clamping face 37 of the main frame by which the main frame at its second location L2 is brought to touch with the pin 16 at or adjacent the second end 17B thereof. As such, the main frame 12 and pins at their second ends 17B are abutting one another in the first closed position so that any thickness of fabric through which the second end 17B has been passed and which is now received on the body of the pin 16 is resisted from passing between the main frame and pins.

The main frame is also bendable into a second open position which is shown more clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7 where the main frame has a second concave curvature relative to point R or the location of the bracket 23 which is at the frame's clamping face 37 by which the main frame at its second location L2 and the pins 16 at their second ends 17B are spaced from one another. Thus, in the second open position of the clip the second ends 17B of the pins 16 may be passed through the fabric from a position at or adjacent a first exposed face of the fabric (or collection of fabrics in the case of a plurality of overlapping pieces of fabric) to a position at or adjacent a second exposed face of the fabric.

The main frame 12 holds its curvature in both positions in a stable manner, that is without a user having to exert a force thereon to maintain same, until the user bends the frame out of its current curvature so as to position the clip into the other one of the positions.

Further, in each of the first closed position and the second open position the main frame is curved from a first end location E1 at a periphery of the main frame 12 to a second end location E2 which is located at the periphery of the main frame in longitudinal relation to the first end location. As such, the curvature of the main frame in each position is substantially longitudinal of the frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the pins 16 are each oriented transversely of the main frame, and therefore by the curvature of the main frame 12, which is longitudinal and thus transverse to orientation of the pins 16, the free ends 17B of the pins are brought to touch or to be in spaced relation from the frame. There is some degree of twisting which occurs in the strip 13 in movement between the open and closed positions of the clip. Therefore, relative to the second location L2 on the frame, the second free ends 17B of the pins are displaced therefrom when the clip is put into the open position from an initially closed position, and the opposite action occurs when the clip is put into the closed position from the open position; that is, the free ends 17B of the pins are displaced towards the main frame 12. The main frame has an elongated shape of greater length in the longitudinal direction thereof measured between end locations E1 and E2 than in the transverse direction measured between locations L1 and L2 at or adjacent the ends of the pins. Since the main frame is an unopenable, permanently closed loop due to the rivet joints between the ends of the metal strip, the transverse dimension of the main frame measured between locations L1 and L2 is rigidly fixed at a static size.

In use the clip 10 is positioned in the open position so that the pins 16 can be woven through the piece(s) of fabric such that the second free ends 17B of the pins are passed through the thickness of the piece(s) of fabric at least twice. Once the fabric is received on the bodies of the pins 16 the clip can be positioned in the closed position so as to bring the main frame and second ends 17B of the pins to touch in abutment with one another. In the closed position, the main frame and second pin ends 17B may be pressed against each other by the corresponding curvature of the main frame such that they are biased towards one another.

The pointed tip of the respective pin and the rounded cross-section thereof resists the pin from being caught on constituent fibres of the fabric, as the pointed tip 21 acts to separate the fibres on passage through the thickness of fabric and the rounded cross-section lacks edges on which the fibres may become caught.

Further, since the pins are suitable for weaving through fabric the clip 10 is attachable on any area of the fabric, for example an edge-adjacent location or a central area which is not typically possible with conventional clips in the art.

In some arrangements, depending on a thickness and texture of the fabric, there may be provided bodies of additional material at the first pin end 17A, for example at locations and at the second location L2 on the frame as shown in FIG. 6 acting as stoppers to further resist passage of material between the pin 16 and the main frame 12 in the closed position of the clip while not inhibiting movement of the clip between the open and closed positions. For example, a body of stopper material which is non-metallic, such as silicone, may be provided so as to bridge a gap between the first end 17A of the pin and the first location L1 on the frame, that is at a location of the clip indicated at 41, so as to prevent catching or snagging of the fabric therebetween. Also, a body of non-metallic stopper material 43 such as the silicone or sandpaper may be provided at the second location L2 on the main frame 12, attached thereto to provide a non-metallic location of contact with the metallic pin and so as to enhance friction between the second end of the pin 17B and the second location L2 on the frame in the closed position so as maintain them in abutting condition. The stopper material 43 may also act to bridge a gap between the main frame and the body of the pin at the second location L2 on the frame so that the fabric may not become wedged therebetween in a manner acting to displace the second pin end 17B from the main frame in the closed position which would not be desirable. Further, the stopper material 43 may be soft so as to conform to shape of the pin in contact therewith in the closed position of the clip.

It will be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment the body of each pin follows a linear path from the first end 17A to the second end 17B.

In other arrangements (not shown), the body of each pin may have to be curved, that is the pin body may follow an arcuate path from first to second ends, so that the second pin end 17B can be brought to touch with the frame in the closed position of the clip as there may be some shapes of frame and curvatures thereof in which this abutting condition of the closed position may not be satisfied with a linearly extending pin. For example, it is possible that with an elliptically shaped main frame with pin oriented longitudinally of the main frame, curvature in the pin along its length may be required in order to satisfy the abutting condition of the closed position.

In yet further arrangements (not shown), instead of the curved pin body, there may be provided a filler material at the first pin end 17A in order to set the pin at a prescribed angle relative to curvature of the main frame in the closed position which is in the direction in which the pin is oriented relative to the main frame so that in the closed position the second pin end 17B abuts the second location L2 on the frame, where otherwise the free pin end would not butt up against the frame. That is, filler material such as glue or silicone may be inserted in a space about the first pin end 17A between the pin and at least one of the bracket and the first location L1 on the main frame so as to occupy that space and support the pin fixedly at the prescribed angle but in a manner which does not inhibit movement of the clip between the open and closed positions, particularly the flexing of parts of the clip which may occur during same.

In yet further alternative arrangements, clamping faces sandwiching the pin's first end therebetween each may be inclined longitudinally of the pin so as to set the prescribed angle so that the abutting condition is satisfied in the closed position of the clip.

In other arrangements, the pins 16 may be connected to the main frame by at least one of welding, soldering, or bonding by adhesive substance, provided that such a means of attachment to the main frame does not inhibit the bending or flexing of the main frame between open and closed positions and, furthermore, that such attachment means can withstand the bending.

In yet further arrangements, the pin may be formed unitarily with the main frame. For example, sheet metal from which the main frame is manufactured may be of a sufficient initial thickness so that a pin with a rounded cross-section may be formed out of same. As the pins are made to be thicker than the main frame, that is the main frame is typically thinner than the pins so as to be able to flex, a thickness of that portion of the sheet metal from which the main frame is formed may have to be reduced from the initial thickness of the sheet metal in order to form the frame.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A clip for attaching to a piece of fabric having first and second faces, the clip comprising: a main frame defined by a strip of metallic material forming a closed loop; at least one pin having a first end affixed at a first location on the main frame and extending across the closed loop to a second end of the at least one pin which is free and located at or adjacent a second location on the main frame that is spaced thereabout from the first location; the main frame being bendable between a first closed position of the clip where the main frame has a first curvature by which the main frame is brought to touch with the at least one pin at or adjacent the second end thereof and a second open position of the clip where the main frame has a second curvature by which the main frame is located in spaced relation to the second end of the at least one pin; the main frame being fixed in size between the first location and the second location; the second end of the at least one pin being sharpened so as to form a pointed tip for piercing the piece of fabric such that the second end is passed therethrough from a position at or adjacent the first face of the fabric to a position at or adjacent the second face of the fabric; the at least one pin having a rounded cross-section along its length from the second end which is sharpened towards the first end of the at least one pin so as to resist catching on the fabric as the second end is passed therethrough.
 2. A clip for attaching to a piece of fabric having first and second faces, the clip comprising: a main frame defined by a strip of metallic material forming a closed loop; at least one pin having a first end affixed at a first location on the main frame and extending across the closed loop to a second end of the at least one pin which is free and located at or adjacent a second location on the main frame that is spaced thereabout from the first location; the main frame being bendable between a first closed position of the clip where the main frame has a first curvature by which the main frame is brought to touch with the at least one pin at or adjacent the second end thereof and a second open position of the clip where the main frame has a second curvature by which the main frame is located in spaced relation to the second end of the at least one pin; the main frame being fixed in size between the first location and the second location; the second end of the at least one pin being sharpened so as to form a pointed tip for piercing the piece of fabric such that the second end is passed therethrough from a position at or adjacent the first face of the fabric to a position at or adjacent the second face of the fabric; the at least one pin having a thickness measured transversely to its length between first and second ends and said thickness being greater than a thickness of the main frame which is measured between opposite faces of the strip of metallic material.
 3. A clip for attaching to a piece of fabric having first and second faces, the clip comprising: a main frame defined by a strip of metallic material forming a closed loop having longitudinal and transverse directions; at least one pin having a first end affixed at a first location on the main frame and extending across the closed loop in the transverse direction to a second end of the at least one pin which is free and located at or adjacent a second location on the main frame that is spaced thereabout from the first location; the main frame being bendable about a transverse axis between first and second stable positions of opposing convex and concave curvature in the longitudinal direction, said first stable position being a closed position in which the curvature of the main frame places the main frame in contact with the at least one pin at or adjacent the second end thereof, and said second stable position being an open position in which the curvature of the main frame places the main frame in spaced relation to the second end of the at least one pin.
 4. The clip according to claim 3 wherein the main frame is longer in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction.
 5. The clip according to claim 1 wherein each pin has a thickness measured transversely to its length between first and second ends and said thickness is greater than a thickness of the main frame which is measured between opposite faces of the strip of metallic material.
 6. The clip according to claim 2 wherein the at least one pin has a rounded cross-section along its length from the second end which is sharpened towards the first end of the at least one pin so as to resist catching on the fabric as the second end is passed therethrough.
 7. The clip according to claim 1 wherein in each of the first closed position and the second open position the main frame is curved from a first end location at a periphery of the main frame to a second end location located at the periphery of the main frame in longitudinal relation to the first end location, and the at least one pin is oriented transversely of the main frame.
 8. The clip according to claim 7 wherein the main frame is greater in longitudinal length than transverse length.
 9. The clip according to claim 1 wherein the at least one pin is fixed in relation to the first location on the main frame.
 10. The clip according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a coupling arrangement to affix to the main frame the at least one pin which is wholly distinct therefrom, the coupling arrangement comprising a bracket having a central area which is bendable so as to follow curvature of the main frame and being connected to the main frame such that the at least one pin is clamped between the central area of the bracket and the main frame.
 11. The clip according to claim 10 wherein the bracket comprises a separate strip of metallic material wholly distinct from the main frame and fasteners connecting the separate strip to the main frame.
 12. The clip according to claim 10 wherein the at least one pin is clamped by a flat face of at least one of the main frame and the central area of the bracket.
 13. The clip according to claim 10 wherein a clamping face at which the at least one pin is engaged thereby of at least one of the main frame and the central area of the bracket thereby comprises a groove for seating the at least one pin therein.
 14. The clip according to claim 10 wherein the central area of the bracket comprises side edges extending along a length of the bracket that follow a path of a respective one of inner and outer peripheral edges of the main frame.
 15. The clip according to claim 1 wherein there is provided at the second location a body of non-metallic material attached to one of the main frame and the pin which in the first closed position provides non-metallic contact with a metal surface of another one of the main frame and the pin.
 16. The clip according to claim 2 wherein in each of the first closed position and the second open position the main frame is curved from a first end location at a periphery of the main frame to a second end location located at the periphery of the main frame in longitudinal relation to the first end location, and the at least one pin is oriented transversely of the main frame.
 17. The clip according to claim 2 wherein there is provided a coupling arrangement to affix to the main frame the at least one pin which is wholly distinct therefrom, the coupling arrangement comprising a bracket having a central area which is bendable so as to follow curvature of the main frame and being connected to the main frame such that the at least one pin is clamped between the central area of the bracket and the main frame.
 18. The clip according to claim 3 wherein there is provided a coupling arrangement to affix to the main frame the at least one pin which is wholly distinct therefrom, the coupling arrangement comprising a bracket having a central area which is bendable so as to follow curvature of the main frame and being connected to the main frame such that the at least one pin is clamped between the central area of the bracket and the main frame.
 19. The clip according to claim 2 wherein there is provided at the second location a body of non-metallic material attached to one of the main frame and the pin which in the first closed position provides non-metallic contact with a metal surface of another one of the main frame and the pin.
 20. The clip according to claim 3 wherein there is provided at the second location a body of non-metallic material attached to one of the main frame and the pin which in the first closed position provides non-metallic contact with a metal surface of another one of the main frame and the pin. 